Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2016

The main gala week for the Manx Electric Railway as part of the Manx Heritage Transport Festival, taking place from the 27th of July 2016 to the 31st.

Timetable F is in operation throughout the festival (apart from Sunday 31st, where a special intensive timetable is to be ran)

A full PDF including the events additional to the M.E.R is available HERE.

Wednesday July 27th

Green for GroudleMatching green pairing Car No.16 and Van No.16 will run shuttles between Derby Castle and Groudle (third trip extending to Laxey) throughout the day.
Departs 10:55, 11:55, 13:00, 14:55 and 15:55 from Derby Castle.

Illuminated Evening Trips‘Illuminated’ Car No.9 will be in use on a special shuttle service to Groudle Glen in the evening.
Departs 18:10, 19:10, 20:10 and 21:10 from Derby Castle,
18:28, 19:28, 20:28 and 21:28 from Groudle Glen.

Open EveningCars No.32 and No.33, celebrating their 110th birthdays this year, will be used on the evening timetabled service.
Car No.32 departs 17:10 and 20:55 from Derby Castle, returning at 18:40 and 22:25 from Ramsey.
Car No.33 departs 15:40 and 18:40 from Derby Castle, returning at 17:10 and 20:40 from Ramsey, also operating the 21:55 to Laxey and 22:40 return.If the weather is poor, Cars 1 and 2 will deputise.

Thursday July 28th

Mail by RailHistoric Manx Electric Railway Mail Vans No.4 and No.16 will be in use. Van No.4 will be attached to an additional Mail Special, departing Derby Castle circa 16:00 (T.B.C.) and Ramsey at 17:50, stopping at points of interest and including Mail collection demonstrations. Van No.16 will be attached to the rear of the 17:10 from Derby Castle to Ramsey.

Friday July 29th

Derby Castle Car Shed ToursTake part in a tour of the historic Car Sheds and Workshops at Derby Castle, the home of the Manx Electric Railway for over 120 years. Your tour, guided by stewards from the www.manxelectricrailway.co.uk team will include behind-the-scenes views showcasing the work carried out to maintain and operate the Victorian and Edwardian tramcars, as well as displays of artifacts and rarely-seen rolling stock. The opportunity will also be available to inspect the latest work on the comprehensive overhaul of ‘Ratchet’ Car No.14. Tours limited to 10 persons per tour.

Drive the Lights – Motorman Taster SessionsAn opportunity to try your hand at driving the Manx Electric Railways Illuminated ‘Tunnel Car’ No.9 on one of the most scenic areas of the line between Laxey and the former station at Garwick Glen. Participants will take it in turn to use the tram controls on the steep climbs out of Laxey to Ballabeg and the air brakes on the returning descent.

Lessons start at Laxey: 10:15, 11:15, 12:35, 14:00, 15:00

Tickets: £10.00 per person, available in advance from www.rail.im or the Welcome Centre on 01624 662525. Limited numbers.

Stamps on the M.E.RA special postal service will operate between Derby Castle Station, Laxey Station and Ramsey. A special Railway Letter Service will also operate from the Summit on the Snaefell Mountain Railway to Laxey. Both these covers can be ordered in advance from Ramsey Philatelic Services, 5 Windsor Road, Ramsey. IM8 3EG or will be available on the day at the Snaefell Summit Hotel and from the Van on arrival at Laxey Station. MER and SMR Covers £4.75 each. These very limited edition covers can be ordered in advance by phoning 01624 816302.

A Remarkable Feat of EngineeringThe inside story of the award winning restoration of Ballure Bridge, and an update on the Ramsey interchange with Chief Engineer Jeremy Reece at the Methodist Church in Ramsey (adjacent to station, Googlemaps link). There will also be a Manx Electric Railway photographic exhibition with Artist Michael Starkey and Les Clarke.

Connecting special M.E.R service departs Derby Castle 16:50, leaving Laxey at 18:20. Stopping at Groudle and Laxey Viaducts, and Ballure Bridge en-route. Service returns at the conclusion of the talk, which lasts around 60 minutes. Return departs Ramsey at 21:15, arriving at Derby Castle 22:30.

Tickets: Available in advance from www.rail.im or the Welcome Centre on 01624 662525. Limited numbers of 100, booking recommended.

Sunday July 31st

Intensive Service – An intensive service will operate throughout the day between Derby Castle and Ramsey. Timetable available HERE.

All of the above events are subject to availability and operational constraints.